The Union Mills Homestead celebrated its 225th year in 2022, marking the anniversary of the site’s founding by brothers Andrew and David Shriver, Jr. in 1797. The brothers planned to combine their respective skills in a business enterprise centered on a set of water-powered mills to be built in a wide valley along Big Pipe Creek. The site was promising, strategically located between Westminster and Littlestown where Pennsylvania’s early roads
Author Archives: Sam Riley
A severe storm blew through Maryland on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, causing significant damage at the Union Mills Homestead. The thunderstorm, packing violent straight-line winds, blew through the Maryland area Tuesday late afternoon/early evening causing power outages and tree damage throughout the area. At the Union Mills Homestead, numerous trees were downed and other trees were severely damaged. Assessments are underway to determine how many trees will needed to be
Union Mills celebrates its 225th anniversary in 2022, a good opportunity to reflect on the site’s rich industrial history. Founded in 1797 centered on a water-powered gristmill, the site evolved during the course of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries along with the American Industrial Revolution. (Image above: The A.K. Shriver & Sons Tannery in 1877, as depicted in the 1877 Illustrated Atlas of Carroll County, Maryland; Lake Griffing & Stevenson,
The Old-Fashioned Corn Roast Festival, an annual tradition at the Union Mills Homestead, returned this year after the 2020 event was canceled for the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s event was particularly festive, marking the 50th time the event was held at the site. 50th Celebration a Few Years Delayed The Corn Roast is patterned after picnics and frolics held at the site in times gone by. The event dates to
(Photo above: George M. Shriver, III volunteering at the 1981 Flower & Plant Market at the Union Mills Homestead.) The Union Mills Homestead community was saddened to hear of the passing of George M. Shriver, III, who died July 24, 2021 at his home in Reisterstown, Maryland at age 88. A long-time member of the Union Mills Homestead’s Board of Governors, Shriver left a legacy of lifetime support for the
(Image Above: The Tannery Bark Shed and Drying Shed at the Union Mills Homestead) Most visitors to Union Mills know about its grist mill – it is hard to miss that big brick building when you drive into the site! As reflected in its name, the enterprise founded in 1797 by Andrew and David Shriver featured a union of two mills, a grist mill and a saw mill. Much less
Jane S. Sewell, the long-time Executive Director of the Union Mills Homestead Foundation, Inc., retires effective February 1, 2021. Jane Sewell became the Executive Director of the organization in 2000, responsible for operation and interpretation of the Union Mills Homestead for over 20 years. 20-Year Tenure Marked by Numerous Successes A retired educator, Jane took over as Executive Director after the retirement of her predecessor, Esther Shriver. Jane successfully managed
A Christmas Eve poem written in 1886 has been brought to life by a video that highlights some of the evolving Christmas traditions of the families that lived at Union Mills in the nineteenth century. The author, Louis E. Shriver of Union Mills, dedicated the verses to his nieces Winnie and Catherine Shriver. Louis lived in the Union Mills Homestead. His nieces, daughters of Lou’s brother Wirt and his wife
The Maryland Microbrewery Festival, held each September at the Union Mills Homestead, will not be held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mark your calendars now for next year’s event, which will be on Saturday, September 25, 2021. Highly Anticipated Each Year The Maryland Microbrewery Festival is one of the most anticipated events each year in Carroll County. The event, which celebrates and promotes the best of Maryland craft
The Union Mills Homestead Foundation and the Silver Run-Union Mills Lions Club were preparing this year for the 50th Annual Corn Roast Festival, which was scheduled to be held on Saturday, August 1, 2020. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic intervened. After long discussions about what to do, the two organizations agreed cancellation was the best course of action for everyone involved. The decision turned out to be the right one, as
(Photo above: Stone Arch Bridge over Big Pipe Creek in Union Mills, circa 1890. The bridge was built 1807-08 and remained in use until washing out in a 1933 storm. Photo by Louis Shriver.) If you have even been to Union Mills, you have driven the route of the historic Baltimore-Reisterstown Turnpike. The road, with important ties to Union Mills, played a significant part in the early economic growth of
The Union Mills Homestead is now reopened after our COVID-19 closure. The site is open to tour Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. We are pleased to welcome you back to the Union Mills Homestead! We are following the CDC and other applicable requirements concerning COVID-19. We require face coverings and social distancing for all guests and staff. Hand sanitizers are available onsite. We appreciate your assistance in ensuring the health and